I currently own Combat Commander and Conflict of Heroes: Storms of Steel.

I am looking at possibly selling SoS because it never really clicked with me the way Combat Commander did. I liked CC's large amount of variety and the replayability of the scenario generator. The problem I have with it is the set-up time and relative complexity for first-time wargamers.

Since most of the people I will be playing my games with are not hardcore wargamers, I would like something similar to CC that will lead them into it. Something that is a little quicker to set up and play, and may be less frustrating for new players (a few players found it difficult to manage the hands properly their first time around)

What WW2 tactical game would help with that? Any game offering a slightly different style or set of mechanics is fine, I am just more or less interested in having a gateway game to CC.

No, card-based is NOT a requirement. I am looking for something that has a similar theme and feel, but something with a few different mechanics would actually be preferred so that I actually have 2 different choices.

I'm not really looking for 'CC Light', but simply a game that is a bit easier for beginners that would easily lead into CC. Screaming Eagles looks like it might fit the bill, it's similar enough in concept that I think someone who gets used to that game would look at CC as a fun/new step forward.

I debated getting Frontline for a long time but I found the artwork to be too off-putting. I wasn't into the whole cartoony look. How does it play?

Disregarding the cartoony look, I'd suggest reading the reviews, both positive and negative. For what it's worth, IMHO, it attempted to be a modernized, lighter Up Front and failed. I'm a supporter (my name's on the box) but I was ultimately disappointed with the morale and pinning mechanics and the clear demonstrable first-go advantage. There are some house rules about that help alleviate bits of this, but the game fell flat for me.

Full disclosure: I'm in the "Up Front is the greatest wargame ever made" camp, so anything that purports to be in that vein had better be really good.

I debated getting Frontline for a long time but I found the artwork to be too off-putting. I wasn't into the whole cartoony look. How does it play?

Disregarding the cartoony look, I'd suggest reading the reviews, both positive and negative. For what it's worth, IMHO, it attempted to be a modernized, lighter Up Front and failed. I'm a supporter (my name's on the box) but I was ultimately disappointed with the morale and pinning mechanics and the clear demonstrable first-go advantage. There are some house rules about that help alleviate bits of this, but the game fell flat for me.

Full disclosure: I'm in the "Up Front is the greatest wargame ever made" camp, so anything that purports to be in that vein had better be really good.

Well, the art certainly does not look overly good to me, but it's still passable. I was sort of hoping the new print would do away with that but I don't think I'm in luck.

I don't know how to explain it exactly, but Frontline just did not sit well with me. The soldiers seemed more like caricatures of soldiers. BoB still seems somewhat realistic, although the faceless soldiers do sort of creep me out.